Labor Day classes continually debated

While other university students sip margaritas on the lake every Labor Day, Bradley students shoulder their backpacks and head to class.

But because the holiday is still recognized by many administrative offices, the topic continues to be discussed by the University Senate.

The Senate, consisting of faculty, administrators and students, votes for each year’s academic calendar four years in advance, meaning this year’s calendar was approved in May 2010.

According to Vice President of Business Affairs Gary Anna, the Senate has considered not holding classes on Labor Day in the past, even though the practice has been in place for at least 30 years.

“The matter can be quite complicated,” Anna said. “But I believe it is sufficient to say that there have been periods when the Senate was inclined to seriously consider change to not having classes on Labor Day and make up the lost day later in the semester.”

Anna said he recalled a student representative’s request before the Senate to continue holding classes on Labor Day sometime within the last five years.

The student’s reasoning, according to Anna, was the proximity of the first day of school and a three day weekend.